ZS Discovery partners with pharmaceutical and biotech clients to accelerate the discovery of safer, more effective therapeutics. The team brings hands-on scientific expertise, advanced analytics, AI, and strategic consulting to help research organizations become more productive, more data-driven, and more confident in their decisions. As a venture within ZS building toward practice status, Discovery combines agility and innovation with the resources and knowledge of the broader firm.
Bioinformatics Leader
ZSD's bioinformatics team delivers work spanning multi-omics analysis, computational biology, GxP pipeline development, and platform architecture for some of the world's largest pharma and biotech companies. This role sits at the senior end of the delivery team: leading engagements, building client relationships, and contributing to business development. You will work as a trusted advisor to R&D leaders, helping them think through how bioinformatics can accelerate their programs.
What you'll do:
- Lead bioinformatics strategy and execution across assigned Discovery client engagements, serving as the primary scientific and analytical point of contact
- Contribute to business development efforts by shaping proposals, identifying expansion opportunities within existing accounts, and supporting client conversations
- Design and implement computational workflows for analysis of multi-omic data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) in drug discovery and translational contexts
- Translate complex biological questions into analytical frameworks, delivering clear, client-ready insights to research and R&D stakeholders
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including scientific strategy, AI, data, and technology, to deliver integrated solutions across the Discovery portfolio
- Mentor and guide junior bioinformatics staff, supporting their technical development and project contributions
- Stay current on emerging tools, platforms, and methods in bioinformatics and apply relevant advances to client work
- Support the development of ZSD's bioinformatics capabilities, including internal tools, methodologies, and thought leadership
What you'll bring:
- Advanced degree (PhD or Master's) in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or a closely related field, or equivalent applied experience
- Deep, hands-on proficiency in bioinformatics tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Nextflow, Snakemake) and experience with cloud-based compute environments
- Domain expertise in at least one biological modality-such as genomics, transcriptomics, or single-cell-with AI and ML applied as tools within a broader scientific context
- Experience working with human patient-level data and multimodal datasets (omics, imaging, clinical/RWE) in a translational or drug discovery setting
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex analytical findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Experience in a consulting firm, CRO, biotech, or pharma R&D environment preferred; client-facing or professional services experience is a plus
- Collaborative spirit and the ability to work across teams with diverse scientific and functional backgrounds
- Fluency in English
- Client-first mentality
- Intense work ethic
- Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach
How you'll grow:
- Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
- Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
- Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions
Perks & Benefits:
At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States , visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS .
Hybrid working model:
We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.
Travel:
Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.
Considering applying?
At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.
If you're eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
To complete your application:
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment. An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com
Salary: $200,000.00 - $229,500.00
Skills Required
- Advanced degree (PhD or Master's) in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or closely related field, or equivalent applied experience
- Deep, hands-on proficiency in bioinformatics tools and programming languages (Python, R, Nextflow, Snakemake)
- Experience with cloud-based compute environments
- Domain expertise in at least one biological modality (genomics, transcriptomics, single-cell) with AI/ML applied within scientific context
- Experience working with human patient-level and multimodal datasets (omics, imaging, clinical/RWE) in translational or drug discovery settings
- Strong communication skills, able to present complex analytical findings to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Experience in a consulting firm, CRO, biotech, or pharma R&D environment
- Client-facing or professional services experience
- Fluency in English
- Client-first mentality, strong work ethic, collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach
ZS Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness support. Feedback suggests the health insurance is a standout perk in practice.
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Parental & Family Support — Family‑forming and parental supports are extensive, including up to $95,000 toward fertility and family planning, adoption support, backup care, and milk‑shipping for traveling parents. A U.S. Family Leave Program provides 10 weeks paid leave that can combine with 6 additional paid maternity weeks for birthing parents.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Inclusive coverage explicitly extends to LGBTQIA+ needs with transgender‑inclusive healthcare and dedicated guidance. Feedback suggests these offerings are positioned as industry‑leading alongside robust family‑forming benefits.
ZS Insights
What We Do
ZS is a management consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. We transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Founded in 1983, ZS has more than 15,000+ employees in over 40 offices worldwide.
Why Work With Us
ZS is home to passionate people who embrace innovative thinking, collaboration and a client-first mindset. Welcome to a company where new ideas are celebrated, curiosity is welcomed, learning opportunities are abundant and colleagues become lifelong connections.
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Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
The Flexible & Connected model is our ZS standard. ZSers decide where it makes the most sense for them to work each day given client or teamwork.













































































